Police said Brent was driving his car at a high rate of speed at 2:21 a.m., when he hit the outside curb on Route 114. The car flipped at least once before coming to rest in the middle of a service road. Brown was found unresponsive by emergency workers and was transferred to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police believe alcohol was a contributing factor in the accident. They found Brent responsive and able to speak with officers. Based on his performance in field sobriety tests, he was arrested for driving while intoxicated. He underwent a mandatory blood draw at the hospital.

Irving Police Officer John Argumaniz said that when patrol officers arrived on the scene the car was on fire and Brent was pulling Brown out of the overturned vehicle. Based on evidence at the scene, which included skid marks, Argumaniz said the vehicle was going much faster than the 45-mph speed limit.

“They were traveling well above the posted speed limit,” he said.

If convicted, Argumaniz said Brent faces imprisonment of two to 20 years.

In 2009, Brent plead guilty to a DUI charge stemming from an arrest when he was a player at University of Illinois, where Brown was also a teammate. Brent was sentenced to 60 days in jail, 200 hours of community service, and two years probation. He was also ordered to attend a victim’s impact panel.

“We are deeply saddened by the news of this accident and the passing of Jerry Brown,” said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, whose team will play Sunday at Cincinnati. “At this time, our hearts and prayers and deepest sympathies are with the members of Jerry’s family and all of those who knew him and loved him.”

Brent started five games this season in place of injured nose tackle Jay Ratliff. Brent was scheduled to start against the Bengals.